Over 3 billion or 40% of the world’s population is now online, compared with just 1% in 1995. With all projections of internet business activities suggesting this number will continue to rise. Vanuatu is also part of the growing trend of accessing online/internet businesses and other online activities.

Reflecting Vanuatu’s experience, the number of social media users is ever increasing and e-commerce services is starting to transform the way people do their shopping and also giving consumers a lot more choices than ever before which is something consumers should appreciate. However, there are great concerns raised on internet users’/consumers’ Protection Security and Privacy, and importantly trust and confidence in their daily online activities.

Occasionally on the 15th of March, Consumers International, the committed and recognized body of 240 members of the Association across 120 countries in the world specifically celebrate this day amongst member countries to advocate for the rights of Consumers to ensure knowledge and recognition for these basic rights of all consumers, and demanding for those rights to be respected and protected according to each individual’s constitutional rights.

On 15 March 2018, Vanuatu will join 240 members of Consumer International across 120 countries to specifically celebrate this day advocating for the rights of Consumers and to ensure the basic rights of all consumers are known to them, and demanding for those rights to be respected and protected according to each individual’s constitutional rights. This year’s theme for the World Consumer Rights Day is Making Digital Market Place Fairer.